Custom Wedding Gowns: What To Know When You Customize Your Designer Dress (And Tips for Bustling!)

Day-of Dressing Recap With Risa: Taylor + Trevor 

Another day, another amazing wedding! It was so fun to be the day-of dresser for Taylor and Trevor on their wedding day. Even though I don’t meet most of my couples in person until the day of their wedding, it always feels like I’ve known them forever when I walk through the door. This day was no exception. From the moment I hung the first bridesmaid gown on my rolling rack, I knew this was going to be a special group of people. One of the best parts of my job is getting to see all the little moments behind the scenes and I loved watching each bridesmaid share their excitement with Taylor, her dad say the sweetest words before the whole group toasted with tequila just moments before going down the aisle, and the tender moments between the bride and groom during golden hour photos with the photographer. The Arizona sun didn’t hold back, but it didn’t even matter. This was a day filled with so much love and the fashion definitely didn’t disappoint, either! A huge thank you to the families for having me, and of course to Imoni Events for including me at one of their stunning weddings, AGAIN! 

Who: Taylor + Trevor 

Getting Ready Location: The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale 

Ceremony & Reception Location: The ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner service took place outdoors at The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale, AZ. Dancing followed indoors in one of the ballrooms

When: April 2024 

Planner: Imoni Events 

What the Bride Wore: For the ceremony the bride wore a strapless A-line gown with a custom detachable bow and pearl accented veil by Monique Lhuilllier. For the reception, she wore a strapless structured white rosette mini dress (brand unknown). 

Wedding Party: They all chose their own dresses in shades of blue with accents of white. A couple of brands included Milla and Selkie. 

Pro Tip #1: If you have any embellishments or customizations put on to your gown, make sure you try the gown on (with shoes!) and do a test run of movement. That means sitting, standing, and most importantly....using the restroom!

Pro Tip #2: For bustling, always take a zoomed-in video of how it is done when you are with your tailor. Bring someone with you to the fitting that will also be at the wedding to learn the bustle! Make sure your wedding planner allots for a full 30 minutes for bustling, no matter what. The planner should have a dedicated spot to bustle that is out of the way and somewhat private. When you do your walk through with your planner, make sure to ask to see that location, and also how the 30 minute time allotment for bustling fits into the timeline they have created. If you are having someone you know do the bustle, consider this handy tool.

Styling Tools Used: 

• Rescue Tape: This was a heavy hitter! The bride had a custom bow train that was attached by thread loops and hooks. Unfortunately, once we clipped it on, it just wasn’t staying. I ended up having to use both white safety pins and silver safety pins as well as Rescue Tape to keep it in place! It was one of my biggest tasks of the day 
  
  
• Scissors: to trim threads on multiple dresses, to cut hanger loops and tags, to trim Rescue Tape, to cut Boob Tape
  
  
• Lint Roller: to remove lint from the Father-of-the-Bride’s jacket 
  
  
• Steamer: For touch-ups on the Bride’s gown, MOB’s gown, and all the bridesmaid’s dresses. I also steamed the tulle bows on the Bride’s shoes
   
• Bandaids: For one of the bridesmaids who was blistering (she didn’t use anything to prevent blistering that I know of)
  
  
• Blotting Papers: It was a really hot day, so I passed the around the holding room for touch ups between photos and walking down the aisle
  
  
• Static Schmatic For Wedding Attire: The veil was getting staticky, so I sprayed it on the veil right after placing it for the Bride
  
  
• Boob Tape: For one of the bridesmaids under her dress with asymmetrical straps 
  
  
• White Towel: to place between the clips on the hanger and the gown for steaming to protect it from metal transfer or clip marks
   
• White Gloves: to handle the Bride’s gown 
  
  
• Rolling Rack
  
  
• Hangers

Vendor Credits:

Event Planning and Design: @imoni_events #imonievents
Venue: @fsscottsdale
Floral Designer: @carteblanchedesign
Photography: @garrettrichardson
Videography: @ironandfern
Thursday Catering: @mculinaryconcepts
Thursday Entertainment: @yourpaljesse
Friday Entertainment: @chadrubinmusic  
Friday Night Rentals: @brighteventrentals
Friday Beer Burro: @AZbeerburro
Dinner & Dancing Entertainment: @elanartists
Ceremony Strings: @sweetwaterstrings
Cocktail Entertainment: @etiquetteandprotocol
Bridal Party Assistant: @risakostis
Paper Design: @victoriayorkdesign
Band Backdrop, Escort Display, Signage: @nobledizzignsrentals
Glam Squad: @lebeigebeauty
Rentals: @primdesigncompany @eventrentsaz
Lighting: @divinitylighting
Linens: @nuagedesignsinc @azsetandstrike
Transportation: @driverprovider
Burro: @azbeerburro